Chelsea in talks to sign highly rated Barcelona prospect amid contract dispute
Chelsea are apparently in talks to sign Gavi with the Barcelona wonderkid now available on a free in the summer.
Considered one of, if not the best young player in the world right now, Gavi is enjoying a fantastic season on the pitch, with the midfielder a major part of the Barcelona club that is 13 points clear at the top of Spanish league table.
In 2022, he won both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy, awarded to the greatest U21 player in the globe, ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka.
Off the pitch is a very different scenario however, with the midfielder currently entangled in a big contract dispute between his club and La Liga.
In summary, in September the 18-year-old signed a new deal to keep him at the Camp Nou until 2026, having until that time been registered as an academy player, and granted the No.6 shirt, previously worn by his manager and Barcelona legend Xavi.
His new deal also included a clause that would allow him to leave as a free agent if the Catalan giants had not registered him as a first-team player by the end of the season – something the club eventually did in January.
However, La Liga have not recognised this as they believe that Gavi cannot be registered in the first-team as Barcelona are in breach of their salary cap guidelines — an issue that has plagued the side in recent years.
The two sides are currently disputing the matter legally, while Gavi, who was compelled to return back to the No.30 shirt, is claimed to be dissatisfied with the scenario he now finds himself in.
Now, according to AS, Chelsea are hoping to take advantage of the mess and the Spain international’s mood, with Blues executives alleged to have visited with the player and his family to discuss a summer transfer.
The report claims the meeting went well and the Premier League side are willing to offer the teenager a hefty contract as Todd Boehly tries to recruit another young superstar to his massive and highly costly roster.
Chelsea might also lure Gavi in with the promise of playing under former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique who remains the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.
In the meanwhile, interim boss Frank Lampard will be in the dugout on Wednesday night when the Blues take on Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final encounter.
Gavi and Barcelona will next be in action on Sunday when they travel to Getafe.
